ATHENS, Ga. - Championship seasons often are distinguished by good fortune as well as good players. That's why you wonder if preseason No. 1 Georgia is more likely headed for disappointment than a repeat of last year's strong finish.
The Bulldogs aren't having championship luck.
You knew Georgia's schedule would be tough. You didn't know that injuries would make it even tougher.
The attrition began in the off-season with the loss of Marcus Washington, a middle linebacker with starting experience. He's out for the season with a shoulder injury.
Next to go was tackle Trinton Sturdivant, the team's best offensive linemen. He went down in preseason training camp with a season-ending knee injury.
Then, in the season opener, defensive tackle Jeff Owens suffered a season-ending knee injury.
It was an ominous beginning for a team expected to contend for a national title. Championship seasons don't usually unfold that way.
Coaches can't explain why and when injuries occur. But most would agree with what former Georgia coach Vince Dooley said Tuesday, "They come in bunches."
A bunch of Bulldogs were injured in their loss to Alabama 12 days ago. Starting tight end Tripp Chandler (shoulder) and All-SEC linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (knee) won't play against UT.
Contrast Georgia's attrition with Tennessee's. The Vols played the first month without injured tight end Jeff Cottam, and they lost backup defensive tackle Chase Nelson to a season-ending knee injury. Otherwise, they have been relatively healthy.
So UT is a healthy 2-3. And Georgia is a bunged-up 4-1, still in contention for conference and national championships.
But given the injuries and the schedule, how realistic does either championship look?
The schedule is about to take a serious turn for the worse. Saturday's game with UT might be the easy part, even though the Vols have won three of the last four games in the series.
Georgia's last six opponents have a combined record of 25-5. Four of the six are nationally ranked.
Georgia will play only two of those opponents at Sanford Stadium. Its only remaining open date will come before its regular-season finale against Georgia Tech.
Contrast Georgia's schedule with that of Southern California, another one-loss team with national championship aspirations. USC's last seven opponents have a combined record of 20-22, and not one of them is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
And the Trojans won't have to worry about a conference playoff game.
Suppose the Bulldogs bucked all the odds and finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. They still would have to beat another nationally ranked team in the SEC championship game.
You would need more than talent to pull that off. You would need the kind of luck the Bulldogs haven't had.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 42
jawjavol writes:
No blackout this week!
BIGORANGEdawgHATER writes:
It will be another black out for our offense. The Players offended by the 13 point spread should be thankfull that its not a 33 point spread! The DAWGS will dismantle the vols this weekend adding another nail to philbillys coffin!
jawjavol writes:
Can someone tell me how No-show Moreno is purported in the GA papers to be a Heistman Candidate??? I think he had something like 30 yds on 14 carries in Knoxville last year and less than that against BAMMER last month. Bring on that Sutherland FB and lets see if the Garden State Gabber (Moron-O) fares any better!!!!!
We play better in Athens anyway. Talk around these parts is similar to the past two years....The Bullpups believe they are going to get back on track against us. At least we may beat them up enough so Vandy can hammer them next week!
utvolz#637682 writes:
Let's hope for a hobnail boot up their arse! We can still hope can't we?
Frank (reporting live from Manchester!)
givehim6 writes:
I for one would like to see USC play in another conference, like the SEC and see if it's that good.
DennisVols writes:
The Heisman is as much hype as it is talent and right now GA is hyping Moreno. He is talented and has a highlight ability. But he has struggled against certain teams.
He won't win it. Anybody notice how last season superman has dropped off the radar. Not even listed in the top 5.
philfan writes:
We have beaten Georgia 3 of the last 4 years. With a tiny bit of luck on our side, a motivated new quarterback, and an improved offensive line, we can beat them again this year. But if we can't win this one, like jawjavol said, then Vanderbilt can have a crack at them. I think Georgia is overrated anyway. They looked pathetic in their loss to Bama.
orangecountry21 writes:
Having Ellerbe off the field will help. He is a monster of a linebacker.
VOLMAN40 writes:
first
VOLMAN40 writes:
not
BigVolinCarolina writes:
If Georgia gets 21 points on the board we're going to be in trouble.
Our only hope is that UGa is their own worst enemy and that we capitalize on the likely few opportunities we're going to get. A low scoring game favors us. Anything else means we're in troube.
Ironcity writes:
This is nothing more then Richt needed to free up a few spots for additional scholarships.
cdonsbach writes:
Hope we can come out of Athens with a W.
GO VOLS!
gnm53108 writes:
Hope this game looks like the Arkansas or Georgia game from last year.We were able stuff both with our defense.
D@mn I miss Coach CUT.
Beat Georgia.
Go VOLS!
gnm53108 writes:
Looks like a good candidate in about 6 to 8 years.
Well,thats if this OC,Clawson,hire works out.Even I dont think Fulmer's rope has enough length to weather another Sanders.
Beat Georgia.
Go VOLS!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
We're still gonna' have to score somehow. I hope this season is finally giving us a killer mentality, instead of easy come easy go.
rblakeh writes:
You mean like last year when we completely shutdown McFadden?
"He's a great back, but he's not going to win the Heisman Trophy in Neyland Stadium." - Jerod Mayo
I don't know about you, but I'd be thrilled with a performance like that.
gnm53108 writes:
With ya.
But like others have said,we are gonna have to score a few.
Back on the koolaid and thinking we will.
Alot of koolaid.Frost brewed.
Beat Georgia.
Go VOLS!
rootin4volz writes:
Well, their luck is about to change. They're playing us.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
They won't need any luck this weekend.
TommyJack writes:
I think the dawgs have their way with us. Hope I'm wrong.
GerryOP writes:
Hope UGa doesn't abuse ol' Smokey.
JayTee writes:
Championship caliber teams can overcome adversity with good coaching. Just look what Bruce Pearl did the first year at Tennessee and kept on improving.
That's what our football team has been lacking for years (Good Coaching). You just can't make a race horse out of a jackass.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Uga would need stilts.
Many diss Stafford, but unless we pressure him (right) we could be in for a bit of a long afternoon.
We simply cannot have any turnovers or punts not kicked out of bounds.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Right on Inky! I ve been advocating..Let's see if we can make it work. This guy is awesome..
Volunatic writes:
Georgia still has a lot to prove-- they haven't beaten a good team yet this season:
GA Southern 3-3 (unranked)
Central Michigan 3-2 (unranked)
South Carolina 4-2 (unranked)
Arizona State 2-3 (unranked)
Of course, they lost to Bama 6-0 (ranked #2)
jasonn1970 writes:
Cheer up 'Dawg fans. The clouds are clearing and the bright sunshine of a visit from Tennessee is heading your way. No matter how hard your team tries to give the game away this Vols team won't be willing to take it. (See the second half of the Auburn game for details....)
Volunatic writes:
3 SEC Championships? Check your stats-- '02 and '05 are the only times UGA won the SEC since the '80's. They have won the East 3 times in the past 6 years, but their East Championship in '03 only occurred because of a mid-season "anybody but UT" rule change (demanded by espn) in determining the East representative in the SECCG.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
They'll be hating on a professional level Saturday in Sanford.
Can you say "boooooo"?
spvol writes:
Get a life. Adams is a hack, but your "boycott" BS is childish.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Muschamp may come for 1.5mil to start
volboy81 writes:
this shows what a difference there is in the SEC and the Prissy 10.
volboy81 writes:
I cant ever remember SEEING an ad on this page, muchless remember who it was! Guess theyre wasting their money on me!
uwishuwereassmartasme (Inactive) writes:
Adams you hack, don't you realize that "black" cloud is a term with racist overtones...why is a black cloud bad? I guess that will be a black mark by your name!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Thank you for your prophecy, if you are wrong may we see you eat dung on Gay Street? Or any public place of your choice. What have you done for your team lately? Besides cry. This is by the way why outsiders critisize us and officials think it's politically correct not to call plays for us. Crybaby losers like you.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Rocky Top you'll always be " Home Sweet Home to ME eeeeee, Good Ole Rocky Top.. Rocky Top Tenneseeeeeeeeeee.. Rocky Top Tennessee... Whooaaaaa!!
GO VOLS.....BEAT THE DAWGIES........
If yawl. could hear me sang.... you'd be convinced we will be in the Victory lane on Saturday...Get your rita's, goose, makers. and even the buds ready, cuz it's gonna be a goodin...
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
We always seem to share the same football philosophy..Only prayer the vols have to win is NO turn overs; no dumb third down penalties and control the line of scrimmage..And it might help if our QB can complete an actual pass on a swing or slant play
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Yes Stafford is definetly a seasoned QB..When I watch him walk up to start the play he's confident and knows exactly what is going to happen..Our QB goes under center praying he can execute a simple trap play hand off!!!And calling an audible is totally out of the question.
brokebackvol writes:
This Volfan is hoping the Dawgs trip all over themselves and the Big Orange sneaks out of the hedges with an upset. Face it, a win for the Vols right now against a ranked team is exactly that, an upset.
Vol_n_Bama writes:
Batters in a slump need a hit. I was hoping that hit would come last week but Phil seems to have UGA's number at home so here's to hoping the hit comes Saturday. With talent that we have Clauson has to find his stride and we'll finish "strong". But then again hope ain't a plan. This team is breaking my heart.
Orange4life writes:
seems we play our worst against the backs ups and the fill ins. Hope we don't do that again tomorrow
Pull together men!
RockyTop1 writes:
Anyone else notice those who beat us have been losing their next game:
-Alabama last year lost every game after they hammered us till the bowl game to finish 6-5!
-UCLA lost the next week to BYU 59-0!!
-Florida went home to lose to Ole Miss??
-Auburn went to Vandy and what was that - another loss!!!
Georgia lost to us last year and went on the best win streak of 2007!!
Does Geogia dare want to beat us?? Inquiring minds want to know!!
GO VOLS "SHOCK" the DAWGS!!!
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